Remote Access

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 I decided to go ahead and configure the 'Cloud' so I could access my Home Assistant from anywhere.  It seems like an interesting way to control things, and as I mentioned...I am a techy guy.

Getting the cloud set up was very easy.  I just followed this - https://www.home-assistant.io/cloud/

It took less than 5 minutes.  Basically, I just set up an account from the Home Assistant Configuration > Home Assistant Cloud page.  I signed up for the free trial with full knowledge that I will have to pay $5 a month to use the service after the trial ends.

Now I had to wait for the "Remote Control" to be ready...

While I waited, I got the Amazon Alexa thing set up.  I just followed the link on the Home Assistant page under "Alexa" for "Enable the Home Assistant skill for Alexa".  

We have an Alexa "Dot", so setting this up was pretty easy.  I logged in to Amazon, and 'linked' the accounts, using the username and password I had just created for the Home Assistant cloud. There is a great page here to help set this up using your mobile device.

I selected settings, 

then "Manage Smart Home Devices".

Then "Devices"

I selected "Discover", and after a bit,  Alexa found my locks.


In the mean time, my "Remote Control" became ready.  I was waiting for an email, but it turns out that it told me in Home Assistant itself, as a Notification.

So I clicked "Notifications"...

Selected "Portal", this took me to the nabucasa site...

I selected "Connect", and got....

Well darn...but then, by the time I could take a screen capture, attach it above, the site refreshed!

I Logged in using the username and password of my local Home Assistant (Not the Cloud/NabuCasa one).
And it brought up my Home Assistant.

So, now I can get to my Home Assistant to change door codes from anywhere.  This is very useful to me, because I have a B&B.  Sometimes I need to change door codes when I am not at the house (people forget, get locked out, etc).

Next, I will try to get Alexa to control my door locks.


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